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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi refused to play for Barca's European rivals</li><li>World Cup win had a big impact on next move</li><li>Became a "family decision"</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'It became a family decision' - Lionel Messi reveals why he didn't return to Barcelona with admission that he refused move to European rivals

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<p>In an interview with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx242zV3_ME&amp;ab_channel=SimplementeF%C3%BAtbol" target="_blank"><em>Simplemente Futbol</em></a>, Messi shared the revelation that he has wanted to return to Barcelona since leaving. When a move back to Catalonia after leaving PSG fell through, his World Cup success, the needs of his family and a reticence to play for another European team ultimately facilitated his transfer to Inter Miami and MLS.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Reporting in 2023 suggested ongoing financial sanctions against the club would have required Barcelona to sell multiple players to afford Messi's agreed salary of £21m a year. Ultimately, it was decided a move wasn't possible.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi said: "I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it was not possible again.</p><p>"After that, it became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact. I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them."</p>

WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID

<p>Inter Miami are back in action on April 19 when they travel to Columbus Crew in MLS.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

'It became a family decision' - Lionel Messi reveals why he didn't return to Barcelona with admission that he refused move to European rivals | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has revealed he wanted to return to Barcelona after leaving PSG, but circumstances made the move impossible. 

&apos;It became a family decision&apos; - Lionel Messi reveals why he didn&apos;t return to Barcelona with admission that he refused move to European rivals

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